Address: 849 7th Ave S Naples, FL 34102
Phone: (239) 231-4553
Website: 7thavenuesocial.com

If you’re a dedicated diner and foodie in Naples, Fla., you’ve been privy to the prodigious talents of Chef Everett Fromm, who’s now helming the transformation of downtown Naples’ 7th Avenue Social from a clubby late-night entertainment venue to a chef-led dining destination under the new ownership of celebrated local restaurateurs Jerry Alajajian and Dayle Westover.

This trio’s history boasts a knack for operating restaurants where there’s always a wait. Most recently, Fromm was executive chef at the original Island Gypsy on Isles of Capri, owned by Alajajian. Earlier, the two were behind the success of the first-ever Tommy Bahama restaurant on Third Street South in Old Naples, which Alajajian managed with Fromm in the kitchen. The chef’s dual expertise in cooking and training young chefs was tapped for the eatery’s national expansion, taking Fromm from Naples to open Tommy Bahamas in other markets, including Dallas, Texas.

“Throughout my years working with Jerry, he’s given me both creative freedom and reign to purchase the best — from produce and proteins to ultra-premium pantry staples — all noticeably enhancing the flavor of each dish,” he shares.

Fromm’s Fall-Winter menu at 7th Avenue Social marks his official debut and showcases nuanced Floridian coastal cuisine, flavorfully fusing the freshest seasonal ingredients with his talent. The proof is in each savory bite of the namesake Social Salad with dried grape tomato, red onion, Euro cucumber, shaved Parmesan Reggiano, garlic croutons and sherry vinaigrette or a small plate of succulent Berkshire Pork Belly accented with cream soda glaze, caramelized onion purée, spicy potato sticks, and charred scallion. Both serve as a tantalizing tease to entrées such as Yellow Edge Grouper served with leek, asparagus, jumbo lump crab ragout, and foie gras fondue.